I agree with Madeleine Bunting (Women and war, September 20). Reactions to the horrific acts of terrorism in America reinforce the view that there will always be a gender gap. As a woman, I look at the possibility of military attacks on Afghanistan from a humanitarian perspective. The innocent people will be punished, while Bin Laden will probably be protected by his followers.

In general, men seem to equate compassion with weakness, and revenge with strength. It would help if they took time to remember the cost to human life which resulted from the wars of the 20th century. Terrorists put little value on life; surely therefore world leaders will be playing into their hands if they embark on actions that cost thousands of lives. Cynthia Rees Oxted, Surreycynthia@rees75.freeserve.co.uk  Although Madeleine Bunting refers to socialisation, her argument as a whole seems to suggest an acceptance of inherent differences. She then tells us that "32% of women opposed any military action if it meant war" - ignoring the obvious fact that the remaining 68% of those surveyed must have been in favour. And only one woman's attitude mattered over the Falklands - the one who was prime minister. Ms Bunting has merely contributed to the divisive socialisation process which refuses to allow us to be people first. Gail Robinson Bolton

 One leftwing writer here in the US has labelled the Taliban a "cult of ignorant psychotics"; pundits and government officials have called them madmen, insane or sick. These are all misuses of impairment and are built on deeply ingrained social notions of "normalcy". The Taliban may hold views far different from western ones, but this does not make them mentally disabled.

There is a rational explanation for why the war machine in the US uses such language. The use of polarised conceptions of normal and abnormal, sane and insane, healthy and sick demeans people and makes the objects of scorn subhuman. Then it is OK to bomb them. Marta Russell Encino, California

 Women are organising their response to the terrible attacks on America, carefully. On September 14, Women in Black, part of an international network of women against war, gathered in Central London for a silent vigil. Peace vigils in many British towns are being initiated, some by women who have never taken a public stand before. Di McDonald Nuclear Information Servicenis@gn.apc.org

 We are members of Sana, a voluntary organisation of Muslims and Christians working together in Bosnia, to heal the wounds of a war which set people of our two faiths against each other. The current terrorist crisis is driving new wedges of mistrust between people who look to different traditions.

The desire of the American people to see their suffering avenged is wholly understandable, but by leaping to the language of war in this crisis, our leaders are ensuring that the first conflict of the 21st century will solve as little as the last of the 20th, the consequences of which we meet everyday in Bosnia. Maggie TennantAmin Awad Nottingham